Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale took place this weekend (21 and 22 April) at the International Classic MotorCycle Show and saw an incredible 92% of lots sold, achieving a total of £3,376,045.
Several world records were broken, including the 1970 Clymer Münch 1,177cc TTS ‘Mammoth’ which sold for a staggering £154,940 and the 1973 MV Agusta 750S which realised £96,700, the highest prices ever achieved for these models at auction.
The top lot of the sale was the 1931 Brough Superior 981cc SS100, which sold for an impressive £264,700, well above its pre-sale estimate of £170,000-220,000. The machine sold to a bidder in the room after an intense six-way bidding battle. Proceeds of the sale are to benefit not one, but three charities; the Search and Rescue Dog Association, the RNLI and the Salvation Army.
James Stensel, Head of Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles UK said: ‘We are incredibly honoured to have been appointed to sell such a special machine. The result exceeded all expectations and demonstrates the strength of the Brough Superior market and the length that bidders will go to support such worthy causes.’
A highlight of the sale was the 1974 Ducati 750SS Project which sold for more than three times its pre-sale estimate, selling for an impressive £106,780 to a bidder in the room after a lengthy bidding exchange, proving the continued interest in the early Ducati round cases and rare and exciting projects.
1974 Ducati 750SS Project sold for £106,780
Many machines achieved well above their pre-sale estimates, such as the 1923 Nimbus 746cc Four which achieved £55,200 against an estimate of £12,000-16,000, and the 1930 Coventry-Eagle 996cc Flying-8 Model F150 Police which sold for £68,700 against an estimate of £40,000-50,000.
There were several single-owner collections in the sale, including the impressive machines from the distinguished collector Miklos Salamon. The collection was 100% sold, with all 42 machines finding new owners. Highlights included the 1950 Vincent 998cc ‘Chinese Red’ Touring Rapide (£68,700) and the 1940 Indian 78ci Four (£68,700).
1973 MV Agusta 750S realised a world-record £96,700 and the 1950 Vincent 998cc ‘Chinese Red’ Touring Rapide sold for £68,700
Ben Walker, International Department Director, commented: ‘We are delighted to open the UK motorcycle auction season with such strong results. The range of lots on offer was extensive and far-reaching, from barn find projects to vintage machines and modern superbikes – all achieving impressive prices. With some 300 machines in the sale, Bonhams demonstrated the breadth of its expertise and we were thrilled to break several world records and set a new precedent on values.
Malcolm Barber, Co-Chairman of Bonhams and the auctioneer of the sale, added: ‘Once again, our Spring Stafford Sale has been a record-breaker. The huge spread of machines brought in interest from all corners of the globe, and we were delighted with the strong 92% sell-through rate.’
Other highlights included:
- 1957 F.B Mondial 250cc DOHC Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle sold for £92,220
- 1926 Coventry-Eagle 981cc Flying-8 achieved £65,340
- 1955 Nimbus 750cc Model C Four sold for £20,700, double its estimate of £7,000-10,000
- 1955 Vincent 998cc Black Knight & Steib 501 Sidecar realised £63,100
- The ex-JD Potts, 1929 Grindlay-Peerless 498cc Brooklands ‘Hundred Model’ (Lacey Replica) sold for £57,500
